Gray Cloud Valley.
This was a desolate area in the southern domain of the Great Yan Nation, said to be inhabited by a fiercely temperamental emperor-tier mythical beast. This beast was immensely powerful, and entering its territory could prove fatal.
Strangely, however, neither the high-ranking Beast Tamers from the southern domain nor martial arts masters seemed interested in exterminating this emperor-tier beast that claimed the valley as its kingdom. They chose to turn a blind eye to its presence.
Left with no other choice, the people living nearby could only continually warn passing travelers not to stray into the area, lest they become an added meal for that emperor-tier beast.
Over time, Gray Cloud Valley became increasingly desolate, visited by fewer and fewer people.
On a flat area just outside Gray Cloud Valley, a huge shadow that blocked the sky and sun swiftly descended. Just before touching the ground, it slowed dramatically and landed silently, its leg-like columns planting firmly on Earth.
It was a one-eyed giant with eight massive arms, each arm decorated with mottled patterns like those of rocks. The sight of its hundreds of meters wide palms left no doubt that it could smash a small mountain with a single slap.
As the giant came to a stand, its kilometer-tall body shaded a large portion of the mountain wall within the valley, but the shadow didn’t last long. Soon, the giant began to kneel slowly, raising one broad palm to shoulder height before lowering it gradually until the back of its hand pressed tightly against the ground beneath.
Two figures, tiny in comparison to the one-eyed giant, stepped down from that palm.
“Let’s go, we’ll enter through the valley entrance over there,” Qi Yunhan said with a light smile. As he spoke, the intricate purple and black glyphs on his feet weaved together rapidly, and the sky-blocking one-eyed giant was stowed away into his Beast Taming Space.
“Okay, Uncle Qi,” Lin Su nodded, his eyes filled with amazement.
Having previously encountered Mu Yuxing’s Golden Feathered Vulture, Lin Su was once again impressed by his own guild president’s main pet.
An upgraded six-handed rock demon, middle emperor-rank species, the Eight-Armed Rock Demon.
During a previous mythical beast assault, Lin Su had witnessed the terror of the Six-Handed Rock Demon, its enormous palm easily crushing the protection system of a transport plane, leaving a deep psychological scar that lingered to this day.
Compared to the Eight-Armed Rock Demon, however, the Six-Handed Rock Demon was simply not in the same league.
It’s no exaggeration to say that, at the same monarch rank, this Eight-Armed Rock Demon could beat up the former Six-Handed Rock Demon as easily as one would thrash a disobedient child.
That being said, riding on the Eight-Armed Rock Demon was significantly more comfortable than on Mu Yuxing’s Golden Feathered Vulture.
As an immensely large earth-elemental pet, the Eight-Armed Rock Demon could easily grow stone seats on its body, allowing them to sit comfortably on its shoulders, and its telekinetic powers could deflect the high-speed winds as effectively as if they were wind-elemental, aiding their resistance against the gales during flight.
If holding onto the feathers of the Golden Feathered Vulture was akin to a standing ticket, riding the Eight-Armed Rock Demon was definitely considered a seated ticket.
With his thoughts drifting, Lin Su soon followed Qi Yunhan into the somewhat narrow entrance of the valley.
After the last Beast Tamer competition, Lin Su had taken the opportunity to learn about the entire map of the Great Yan Nation, particularly paying close attention to the southern region where he lived.
Hence, he knew the tales concerning Gray Cloud Valley and the emperor-ranked mythical beast said to inhabit it.
On their way there, Qi Yunhan had explained the reason why no one had attempted to exterminate the emperor-tier mythical beast within Gray Cloud Valley.
As it turned out, it wasn’t some fiercely temperamental beast but rather a cherished pet left by a deceased senior Beast Tamer. Its purpose in staying here was to guard the entrance to the Nirvana Secret Realm, preventing unapproved access to the place.
The entrance to the Nirvana Secret Realm lay hidden within the deserted Gray Cloud Valley.
And the reason for not disclosing the true nature of the beast to the general populace was to prevent speculators, who might seek to sneak into the valley if they knew of the secret realm, thereby causing trouble for the guardian emperor-tier beast.
Gray Cloud Valley was actually not very large; surrounded by steep mountainsides that created a corridor-like space. Perhaps due to the oppressive aura of the emperor-tier mythical beast, or perhaps for another reason, the valley was barren, with only exposed rock and sparse soil.
As they walked, Lin Su began to hear voices conversing within the valley.
There could be no other explanation for their presence in Gray Cloud Valley at this time.
Clearly, members from the Beast Taming Unions of the other two cities had already arrived.
This time, only three individuals had qualified to enter the Nirvana Secret Realm, so naturally, there weren’t many people present. Soon, four figures appeared before Lin Su and Qi Yunhan.
Aside from Tang Hao and Zhou Qiyi, the two Beast Tamers who had qualified, there were two others standing beside them. The one standing next to Zhou Qiyi looked familiar to Lin Su; he was the one who had led the team from Star Light City’s Beast Taming Union in the last Beast Tamer competition, and he was also Zhou Qiyi’s teacher.
Standing beside Tang Hao was a middle-aged man Lin Su didn’t recognize. He seemed distinguished and, unlike Chu Feng, had none of that sly demeanor; instead, his smile was broad and hearty.
Seeing Lin Su and his companion, the unfamiliar man let out a hearty laugh, “Qi is here too, now everyone has arrived.”
Qi Yunhan nodded indifferently, noticing Lin Su’s curious gaze, he explained, “This is President Li of the Qingyun City Beast Taming Union.”